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Will you be celebrating Thanksgiving or Christmas in Walt Disney World?

Lucky you! What a fun way to spend the holiday season — with so much to be thankful for in such a cool place!

As you can imagine, the crowds tend to swell at Disney during holiday weeks like Thanksgiving and Christmas as lots of Disney fans choose to celebrate their holiday there. And Disney answers the call with tons of Thanksgiving spirit throughout many of their restaurants.

Whether you’re looking for a traditional meal, a gourmet twist on familiar favorites, or something that’s a complete departure from established customs, you’ll find lots of options for celebrating these special food days. Let’s check out a few of our favorites.

The Traditional: Liberty Tree Tavern in Magic Kingdom

We all know it’s true. When you’re craving Thanksgiving dinner at Disney, there’s one spot you can always count on to deliver: Liberty Tree Tavern in Magic Kingdom’s Liberty Square.

Liberty Tree Tavern Entrance

And we’re not just talking about on Thanksgiving Day, or merely around Thanksgiving. You’ll find the traditional feast on the lunch and dinner menu, every day of the year. [Read more…]

It’s time for a very MERRY CHRISTMAS with Mickey at his own Very Merry Christmas Party!!

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Guide

He’s throwing this festive bash on select nights at through December 22nd, and it’s one of my absolute favorite Magic Kingdom events EVER. I get excited just driving in and seeing the inflatable snow Mickey and Minnie over the park’s entrance gate and getting my Party wristband! [Read more…]

Wow!!! Guest author (and an awesome friend who always sends me the best photos of Disney food!) Lori Fries, takes us on a whirlwind, coast-to-coast tour of six parks in one day. Let’s see what food she sampled!

If you are like me, you love BOTH Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort. I achieved my top item on my bucket-list and went to all 6 parks — four in Disney World and two in Disneyland — on the same day!

Six Parks, One Day Treats

Picking one snack in each park brings with it a unique set of challenges. For the first time in modern memory, I didn’t want to go to a park and pick what I felt like eating at the time. Seasonal treats have always held a special place on my Must Do Disney Food List, but I wanted to go with iconic treats.

There is an entirely different set of things I love to eat on both coasts. I could go to Epcot and fill my stomach around World Showcase. My trip was even during the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival! That is a different challenge.

Would I pick things only served on a stick to make an easy getaway to the next destination? Nope. That would rule out some classics like the Mickey pretzel.

Here is what I did. My first stop was Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Animal Kingdom

Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bar
To me, vanilla ice cream covered in chocolate in the shape of Mickey Mouse’s silhouette screams Disney snack at its finest.
You can find them at ice cream carts and restaurants throughout the parks in both Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Not only can you get them from all the parks but all the resorts as well. I also knew that the carts are opened before the official park opening.

Today, we’re taking a look at some of our favorite restaurants around the World, as we share with you our suggestions for the Best Walt Disney World Restaurants for First Timers. It’s the latest Disney Food Blog video that you’ll find on our brand new DFB YouTube Video Channel!

Are you headed to Walt Disney World for the very first time, or are you a veteran of the Parks and Resorts? Tune in to see if you agree with our picks for First Timers. [Read more…]

Are you ready for a party with a Disney Princess? If so, read the scoop on this new Festival of Fantasy Parade Viewing Package: Tiana’s Riverboat Party!

Festival of Fantasy Parade

Starting November 29th, Tiana (and Prince Naveen!) will welcome guests at the dock of the Liberty Square Riverboat for an ice cream social complete with all the makings for a sundae, along with beverages and other sweet treats. [Read more…]

Hello, friends! Well, we’d be remiss if we didn’t start out this post by wishing THIS GUY a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Happy Birthday, Mickey!!

Mickey Mouse was presented to the world with the premiere of the animated short “Steamboat Willie” on November 18, 1928. And our favorite Mouse will be joining us all around the World today for our November edition of What’s New!

Located on the edge of Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland near where it transitions to Fantasyland (it’s just to the right of the castle), Cosmic Ray’s is an excellent bet for finding something to please everyone, especially if your party includes members who are less adventurous in their tastes.

But if you do like more interesting fare, don’t be afraid of this intergalactic hotspot! In addition to tried and true favorites like Chicken Nuggets and Bacon Cheeseburgers, you’ll usually find some outta this world (see what I did there?) options as well.

Besides, Cosmic Ray’s is home to one of Disney’s legendary toppings bars. And you KNOW how much I love a good toppings bar.

Wanna see what I’m talking about? Let’s head in.

Atmosphere

Much like the rest of Tomorrowland, Cosmic Ray’s is at once retro and futuristic — although the retro vibe is more 1980s than anything. Purple, teal, and silver will send you searching for your Swatch Watch.

Cosmic Ray’s Sign

We’ll get to the ordering set up in just a sec, but first, let’s check out the seating. There’s a reason I want you to see this area first — one of the galaxy’s most famous acts takes center stage while you enjoy your meal. [Read more…]

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year! And it’s DOUBLY so if you’ve booked your tickets (like I just did!!!!) for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

This party is TOPS for ushering in your holiday celebration. It’s not Christmas until we’ve experienced snow on Main Street and watched the Once Upon a Christmastime Parade — complete with Santa himself!

Once Upon a Christmastime Parade

And you can’t forget the dazzling lights that turn Cinderella Castle into one of the most beautiful spectacles of the season. [Read more…]

On my most recent trip to Walt Disney World, I wanted to plan lots of first experiences for myself and for my family, comprised of my husband and my five-year-old daughter. We booked our trip just before the 180 day mark, and I serendipitously found myself staring at an available Cinderella’s Royal Table breakfast Advance Dining Reservation (ADR) shortly thereafter. I couldn’t pass it up! In fact, over the next few months, I regularly checked back to see if we could get in even earlier when, low and behold, I was able to grab a pre-park opening ADR. Even better!

Cinderella’s Royal Table is one of those Disney World experiences that is truly exquisite. The setting is stunning, the food is delicious, and the entertainment is so fun — for kids of all ages, really.

Sign outside restaurant

Atmosphere

Let’s start with the beauty that is the restaurant itself. The check-in desk is toward the back of the castle on the right. This process was efficient, and we were quickly invited into the foyer of the castle for our Cinderella meet-and-greet. We found the foyer to be low lit but plumb full of details: shields, tapestries, and gorgeous lighting.